ken gibson

Handwritten letter from Puerto Rican community leader, Hilda Hidalgo, urging participation in the 1969 Black and Puerto Rican Convention. Hidalgo writes in the letter, “Without attending the convention, You will lose, Ken will lose, Blacks will lose, Puerto Ricans will lose, Newark will lose.” The Convention was organized to formally select the “Community’s Choice” for Mayor and City Council in the 1970 election. -Credit: Junius Williams Collection

Handwritten letter from Puerto Rican community leader, Hilda Hidalgo, urging participation in the 1969 Black and Puerto Rican Convention. Hidalgo writes in the letter, “Without attending the convention, You will lose, Ken will lose, Blacks will lose, Puerto Ricans will lose, Newark will lose.” The Convention was organized to formally select the “Community’s Choice” for Mayor and City Council in the 1970 election.

Ken Gibson poses for a photo with Theodore Pinckney, Amiri Baraka, and others during his mayoral campaign. The potential to elect the first Black mayor of a major northeastern city drew national attention to Newark and Amiri Baraka used his connections to bring celebrity supporters to the city for Gibson’s campaign.

Ken Gibson poses for a photo with musician Isaac Hayes during his 1970 Mayoral campaign in Newark. The potential to elect the first Black mayor of a major northeastern city drew national attention to Newark and Amiri Baraka used his connections to bring celebrity supporters to the city for Gibson’s campaign.

Program from the 1970 inauguration of Newark’s Mayor and Municipal Council. Ken Gibson was inaugurated on July 1, 1970, becoming the first Black mayor of a major northeastern city after defeating incumbent Mayor Hugh Addonizio in the election. Also elected to the City Council were Earl Harris, Sharpe James, and Dennis Westbrooks– all nominees of the Black and Puerto Rican Convention.

Ken Gibson (right), chats with legendary musician James Brown (left), and one of the “Gibson Girls” during his 1970 Mayoral campaign in Newark. The potential to elect the first Black mayor of a major northeastern city drew national attention to Newark and Amiri Baraka used his connections to bring celebrity supporters to the city for Gibson’s campaign.

Letter distributed to Newark residents during the 1970 Mayoral campaign tying candidate Ken Gibson to militant Black leaders. Mayor Addonizio’s campaign attempted to paint his opponent, Ken Gibson, as a dangerous Black Nationalist based on his association with Amiri Baraka. Addonizio was defeated by Ken Gibson in the runoff election, making Gibson the first Black mayor of a major northeastern city.

Campaign flyer distributed during Newark’s 1970 Mayoral campaign tying Ken Gibson to Black Nationalist leaders. Mayor Addonizio’s campaign attempted to paint his opponent, Ken Gibson, as a dangerous Black Nationalist based on his association with Amiri Baraka. Addonizio was defeated by Ken Gibson in the runoff election, making Gibson the first Black mayor of a major northeastern city.